Recently someone introduced me to GTactix, a program that allows even the most unartistic player to create tactical maps and strats. At the risk of sounding like a shill, this program is a must download for anyone interested in exploring the art of strat-making.

Created by VR6R, Josh Kuhn from Portland, Oregon, GTactix is an interactive, real-time way of collaborating on tactical gaming strategies. To me, it resembles a cross between PaintShop and NetMeeting.

The program comes with overhead map packs that you can download for just about any popular game out there. CoD4 and CoD2 overheads are available right from GTactix (you can download them through the Tool option). Once the map pack loads. Select a map ...and in seconds you can start illustrating it with your own custom made tactics.

The program comes with custom icons which you can use to get your strategic point across.

If you are a team captain, this tool is amazing. You can "HOST" a session and have your clan or teammates join you. They can then see you map out a strategy in real time.

The program itself is clean and simple. The interface is beautiful...it's so nice it actually makes me want to use the program. I almost got the feeling kids get when they are given a brand new box of Crayolas.

Who should use it?

If you are a clan leader, team captain, or just love drawing lines and rectangles on game maps..

You do not have to rely on stock map downloads. Any map can be uploaded into GTactix and worked on. Here is an example of what you can do. I added one of the maps I made (mp_castle for CoD:WW) and set up a 5v5 S&D scenario. I added lines to the Blue Defensive Squad as an example (I would not use what I have drawn as a strat by the way!):

The program allows you to save any strat you make either as a picture file (.jpg, .gif...etc.), or as a "strat". Saving as a strat is the most efficient as you do not save the map that goes with it - so it is a very small file indeed.

GTactix has over 100,000 users and has really taken off in the gaming community. If you have any issues with GTactix, there are some useful tutorials available from VR6R.

Have fun with your strats!

_________________In a time of deceit ,Telling the truth is a revolutionary act. +SiND+